Recruiting Update: Helfrich’s NSD Success Already Carrying Over

Football Recruiting

ATH Devante Downs (4-Star/Lynnwood, WA/Rivals250).

News

It’s been exactly one week since Oregon inked 19 preps. You know what that means?! Just under a year until the hysteria of National Signing Day comes around again. (For a quick analysis of all 19 Oregon signees by Head Coach Mark Helfrich, please click here.) Looking ahead, the 2014 class — especially the corps coming out of our home state — promises to be a one of the deepest and most intriguing we’ve seen in recent memory.

Just to the north, vaunted junior Devante Downs(4-Star/Lynnwood, WA/Rivals250) is already hearing from Eugene. “Oregon has been in contact a lot…,” said Downs. “They like me at linebacker, which is good. The Ducks are a national powerhouse and I definitely have interest.” A tabbed 6’3″, 230 lb. athlete who can lineup just about anywhere, Downs became an early target for linebackers coach Don Pellum after making an appearance at the Nike NFTC held inside Autzen Stadium.

No stranger to the limelight of football, running back Christian McCaffrey(4-Star/Highlands Ranch, CO) — son of former Denver Broncos’ wideout Ed McCaffrey — garnered an Oregon offer this past season and heads into his final prep campaign as one of America’s top athlete prospects. Standing 6’0″, 190 lbs., McCaffrey sees time in the backfield and punishes opponents as a return man with blazing speed in in the open field.

A wide receiver/cornerback combo, Michiah Quick(4-Star/Fresno, CA/Rivals100)fits the Oregon bill of speed and athleticism. A shifty 6’0″, 170 lbs., Quick makes short work of defenders with masterful field vision and the ability to break to the edge. Current Duck B.J. Kelley shares Quick’s alma mater, Central East, and could provide some pull heading into the summer months…stay tuned!

For up to the minute recruiting news, please visit our friends at DUCK TERRITORY who graciously provide FISHDUCK with in-depth analysis and player-generated material. Look for my latest recruiting update every Wednesday, and WTD!!!

Mark Flores, a Salem, OR resident, is a Firefighter/EMT who is currently attending Paramedic School. A graduate of nearby Corban University with a Bachelors Degree in English-Journalism, Flores is an Oregon Ducks football season-ticket holder (since 2010) with plans of pursuing his masters degree at the U of O. A passionate and knowledgeable Ducks fan with a heavy interest in Oregon athletics and recruiting, Flores, a former lacrosse player, brings a wealth of knowledge of Oregon teams not readily covered by the media.Flores has over seven years of professional journalism experience, including writing for the Statesman Journal in Salem and holding the position of Sports Editor for the Hilltop News (Corban University). He brings his detailed knowledge of recruiting and athletics to the FishDuck team, and welcomes your feedback.Author's Note: "I do not capitalize our rival, "that other school", nor any other institution outside of our beloved UNIVERSITY OF OREGON. WTD!!!"Twitter: @MarkDFlores